Social Scoop Unplugged #16
Want to stay ahead in the social media game? This week’s updates bring exciting changes:
Instagram is rolling out a new “Trial” option within the Reels posting flow, while Meta is testing options to hide like counts on Reels. They’ve also announced some interactive updates for broadcast channels, giving creators even more tools to engage with their audiences.
TikTok, meanwhile, is launching a renewed shopping push in Europe. X is also making a buzz with its “non-woke” AI chatbot, which everyone can now try. Instagram creators will now receive a warning for first violations, and X has added data showing engagement from followers vs non-followers. Finally, LinkedIn is introducing a revolving slideshow option for profile banner images—more options for creativity! Learn how these social media updates can supercharge your marketing strategies and keep you ahead of the competition!
Instagram is now rolling out a new “Trial” option within the Reels posting flow
Instagram’s always testing ways to make our content perform better, right? Well, this time, they’ve come up with something that might just be a game-changer for Reels creators: Trial Reels. It’s all about sampling your latest content with a fresh audience before committing it to your followers. Think of it as a little sneak peek with non-followers—giving you a gut check on whether your new content is likely to hit the mark.
Here’s how it works: Instagram is rolling out a new “Trial” option within the Reels posting flow. This will let creators share their latest uploads with a handpicked selection of users who don’t follow them (yet). So, if you’ve got something new, experimental, or out of your usual niche, you can try it without worrying about it not landing with your existing followers.
Instagram says creators often feel nervous about posting too much or branching out with content that’s a bit different. It’s a common worry: Will your followers love it, or will it fall flat? Well, with Trial Reels, you can test the waters first. The idea is simple: your Reel is shown to non-followers first, so you get an early sense of how it might perform.
Here’s the breakdown:
• If you opt for the “Trial” option, your Reel will be shown to users who don’t follow your profile yet.
• You’ll find these trial Reels tucked away in the drafts section of your profile, but they won’t show up on your profile grid or in your Reels tab during the trial period.
• Only you will know that it’s a trial—there’s no public indication that it’s being tested out, so it’s all low-pressure.
After about 24 hours, you’ll be able to see key engagement metrics: views, likes, comments, and shares. This helps you get a feel for how the Reel’s doing before going full throttle. You’ll also get some comparison insights against your previous trial Reels—so you can keep refining and improving.
Now, Instagram does mention that, in some cases, your followers might still catch a glimpse of your trial Reel if someone shares it with them. But the main aim is to expose your content to a different audience, helping you experiment without the pressure of sticking to your usual content formula.
And, if your trial Reel is doing well, you can choose to share it with your followers and let it hit your profile grid and Reels tab like any other post. If it’s not getting the reaction you were hoping for, though, you can just delete it—and your audience will never know it was ever there. No harm, no foul.
So, what do we think? If you’re looking to shake things up and test new ideas without the stress of follower expectations, Trial Reels could be just what you need. Keep an eye on this feature—it might just help you level up your Reels game in a big way!
Meta’s testing options to hide like counts on Reels
Meta is giving users more control over how their metrics are displayed, with new tests on both Instagram and Threads.
Instagram: Hide View Counts on Reels
Instagram is trialling a feature that allows creators to hide the view count on their Reels thumbnails. The idea is to encourage people to explore more of your content rather than just the top performers. This option is still in testing, but if it rolls out, it could give your audience a chance to discover different types of content from you.
Threads: Hide Replies from Your Profile
On Threads, Meta is testing an option to hide your replies from your profile. If enabled, only your Threads and reposts will be visible, giving users more freedom to comment without worrying about being judged. It could reduce pressure but also raises the question: should you be able to hide your opinions?
Why It Matters
These changes are part of Instagram’s broader push to give users more control over their experience. It’s similar to when Instagram introduced the option to hide like counts in 2021. These new features align with the move away from vanity metrics and the shift towards meaningful engagement
Meta’s testing options that could change how we interact with social media. Whether or not these features catch on, they show that Meta is focused on user control and the evolving nature of social media.
Meta Expands Penalty Avoidance Education for Instagram Creators
Meta is expanding its penalty avoidance system to Instagram, following a similar rollout on Facebook in August. This new approach helps creators avoid strikes and penalties for minor rule violations by offering an educational program.
What’s New?
Creators who break the rules for the first time on Instagram can now avoid penalties by completing a brief survey-style course. The goal is to educate users about Meta’s Community Standards to prevent accidental violations.
• How It Works: Instead of receiving penalties after a first-time, minor violation, users can complete an educational course to erase the strike and avoid restrictions.
• Why It Matters: Meta found that most users don’t intend to break the rules and may not fully understand them. This initiative aims to educate rather than punish, promoting a safer environment on the platform.
Proven Effectiveness
Meta has already seen success with this system on Facebook, where creators who took the educational course were 15% more likely to understand the platform’s rules and less likely to break them again.
Limits of the System
This option doesn’t apply to serious violations, such as content involving sexual exploitation or promoting dangerous organisations. But for lesser violations, creators can avoid penalties, reducing frustration and helping them learn from their mistakes.
What’s Next?
Meta plans to keep adjusting the system based on feedback and its effectiveness, making sure creators can stay active while better understanding the rules.
Meta Introduces Interactive Updates for Broadcast Channels
Meta’s adding some cool new features to its Broadcast Channels, making it easier for creators and brands to engage with their fans on Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger.
What’s New?
• Replies in Broadcast Channels: Fans can now reply to your updates in a more interactive way. Replies will be tied to specific comments and visible when users tap through, keeping the main feed clean but allowing deeper conversations.
• Chat Prompts: You can now prompt discussion within your channel. Followers can respond with text or photos, and you can track likes to see what’s resonating with your audience.
• New Metrics: Meta’s rolling out new insights to help you understand what’s working. You’ll get data on total interactions, shares, and poll votes, plus personalised tips to help you grow your channel.
Why This Matters
With over 1.5 billion messages shared on Broadcast Channels every month, these updates offer a great way to boost engagement and build stronger connections with your audience.
TikTok Relaunches Shopping Push in Europe
TikTok is making a bigger push into European e-commerce, starting with the launch of TikTok Shop in Spain. Here’s what’s new:
• TikTok Shop in Spain: Spanish retailers can now run live-stream shopping events, showcase products, and access affiliate programs and shop ads.
• Why It Matters: After a failed attempt in 2022, TikTok is revisiting its e-commerce strategy in Europe. With shopping becoming more popular in-stream, TikTok hopes this will help grow its revenue and become a key player in the online shopping space, following the success of its Chinese counterpart, Douyin.
• A Growing Trend: TikTok saw a 3x increase in sales this past Black Friday, showing that in-stream shopping is gaining traction, especially with younger users.
With a potential ban looming in the U.S., TikTok needs this push to succeed in Europe to make up for lost revenue if it gets cut off from American users.
X Opens Grok AI to All Users: But Is It Really Social?
X has just rolled out its “Grok” AI chatbot to all users, not just Premium subscribers. Now, anyone can ask questions, generate images, and even get playful responses in “Unhinged Fun” mode. But does AI truly belong in the world of social media?
AI tools like Grok are popping up everywhere—Meta’s got its chatbot across all its platforms, and LinkedIn’s adding more AI features all the time. But here’s the catch: social media is supposed to be about real, human connection. Does it make sense to replace some of that with AI-generated posts and messages?
While AI can undoubtedly streamline workflows—imagine it helping lawyers find case precedents, for example—it’s clear that AI is most useful when paired with human expertise. It’s not here to replace us; it’s here to assist us.
So, what about Grok? Sure, it might help track trends or generate quick insights, but does it really add value to your X experience? For most users, the novelty will wear off quickly. At the end of the day, social media is about sharing your thoughts and connecting with others, not chatting with bots.
X Adds Follower vs Non-Follower Engagement Data: What’s It Mean for Creators?
X has introduced a new feature in its analytics that shows the split between follower and non-follower engagement on your posts. While this offers more insight into your reach, it also highlights a shift in how platforms are prioritising content.
Platforms like Threads have shown a similar trend, with more engagement coming from non-followers. This suggests that the algorithm is favouring content discovery over following, which, while boosting engagement, makes it harder for creators to build a loyal, monetisable community.
Creating great content still matters, but as algorithms evolve, it’s becoming more challenging to maintain a dedicated following. It’ll be interesting to see if X follows Threads’ lead in prioritising content from users’ followers to help creators grow their communities.
LinkedIn Adds Revolving Slideshow for Profile Banners: A New Way to Stand Out
LinkedIn has introduced a new feature for Premium users, allowing them to add a rotating slideshow to their profile banner. This update gives users the chance to showcase up to five images in a dynamic, eye-catching way, offering a fresh opportunity to express your personality, skills, or business.
While it’s currently a paid-only feature, it could be a great addition for freelancers, entrepreneurs, or anyone wanting to add a more animated touch to their profile. The images will scroll every few seconds, giving your banner a more dynamic feel.
Although it’s a small change, it’s an extra tool to help you make a strong first impression. If you’re looking to freshen up your LinkedIn profile for 2025, it might be worth considering an upgrade to LinkedIn Premium to unlock this and other features like AI profile assistance and custom CTAs.
That wraps up this week’s Social Scoop Unplugged! 🚀 Remember, the world of social media never stops evolving, and neither should your strategy. Stay curious, keep experimenting, and don’t forget to adapt to these exciting updates as they unfold.
If you’ve found this helpful, share it with your network or drop me a message with your thoughts and feedback. Until next time, keep shining and be creative online!
Natty Bernasconi | Instagram Expert & Educator
Social Media Strategy for Lifestyle Businesses & Creators
Empowering brands with tailored Instagram strategies and aesthetic-driven insights. Follow for weekly tips, industry updates, and coaching designed to elevate your brand’s online presence—making it as captivating as it is strategic.